US Terror Warning Draws Shrugs From Americans

A rare advisory for U.S. travelers to beware of potential terrorist threats in Europe has drawn American shrugs from Paris to Rome, but tourism officials are worried that it could deter would-be visitors from moving ahead with plans to cross the Atlantic.

The travel alert is a step below a formal warning not to visit Europe, but some experts said it could still hurt a fragile European economy already hit hard by the debt crisis. "I think if someone was looking for an excuse not to travel, then this is just the ticket," said George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com.

"However, I don't think most people will alter their plans unless the threat is very specific.The State Department alert advised the hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens living or traveling in Europe to take more precautions about their personal security. Security officials say terrorists may be plotting attacks in Europe with assault weapons on public places, similar to the deadly 2008 shooting spree in Mumbai, India.